(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - First City Homeless Services received a $3,000 Community Development Grant from First Bank. The grant will go to fund their Day Shelter, which offers a warm, safe and dry place for Ketchikan’s homeless, marginally housed and transient community.

First Bank’s Matt Hagan and Sheila Kleinschmidt present a check to FCHS Manager John Baratki and FCHS Board Members Evelyn Erbele and Jeanne Sande (left to right).
Photo courtesy First City Homeless Services

First City Homeless Services is a local non-profit organization that has been serving Ketchikan since December 7, 2009. “We are very grateful for this grant. The summer months are busy with the influx of new people arriving in Ketchikan. Many will not have immediate access to housing or employment”, stated John Baratki, Day Shelter Manager.

The Day Shelter assists clients in finding employment, temporary or permanent housing and getting them in touch with pertinent community resources. In addition, clients can shower, do laundry, and or play games with their families in a warm, safe place.

The Day Shelter operates solely on donations and grants, which covers program expenses including rent, utilities, beverage and food items, office equipment and bus and laundry tokens.

In 2010, the Day Shelter provided services to 99 individuals for over 1,166 hours. The Day Shelter Program is located at 400 Main Street, lower.

On the Web:

First City Homeless Services
http://www.ktnfchs.org/

How you can help
http://www.ktnfchs.org/donations.html

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Ketchikan, Alaska